Scanners - An excellent film (for its time)

I've watched 'Scanners' a few times now and it's definitely a classic.  However, it's also one of those films that I reckon even die-hard fans may find it hard to watch that often.  I find myself sitting down to it every five or so years, each time realising that I've managed to forget most of the entire story and then having to see it all over again, so to speak.

I guess that, back in 1981, 'telepaths' were a suitably original subject for a movie.  A 'scanner' is basically that - someone who can scan others' minds (and, of course, occasionally plant the odd suggestion).  The government doesn't entirely trust them and likes to keep them locked up in secure facilities where they can - hopefully - be weaponised.  With all the superheroes flying around the big screen today, these scanners' powers seem quite underwhelming.   So, staying with the whole 'Scanners vs Avengers' type theme, don't expect there to be much of a budget for this film.  I think it's fair to say that every penny of its budget went on a particularly gruesome scene which has become famous in terms of just what can be achieved via practical effects.  Don't expect and armies of scanners facing off in a battle for New York!

The film's stand-out actor is Michael Ironside, who actually plays the antagonist.  The film's heroes don't really seem to leave much of a memorable impression on anyone (which goes to show why they never went on to star in much else afterwards).  However, one of the film's main strengths is its director - David Cronenberg.  His creepy style or dark story-telling is probably the main thing that elevates 'Scanners' out of being a forgettable B-movie and gives it its deserved 'cult status.'

Plus 'Scanners' other strength is due to when it was released.  Compared to today's offerings it gives you little that you (now) haven't seen a hundred times before.  There is a plot point which comes late in the final act and I always remember kind of guessing what that was, but the ending is certainly different enough to be memorable.  But that doesn't mean it's not worth a watch.  Don't expect fast-paced action, or even special effects (bar that one scene!).  But if you're in the mood for possibly the best ever film about the dangers of telepathy/telekinesis then you really have to watch this one - it should be on every horror buff's watchlist. 

7/10 if I woke up on Groundhog Day and had to watch this again, I could live with that